Adventures with Felicia - Fore Abbey and Trim

We spent the last day of the year touring Fore Abbey and Trim.  The Abbey is a self-guided tour and Steve and I have been there before.

The last time I went though, I didn't cross the road to St. Fechin's Church and the Anchorite's Church, so this time I did.  My blog info about them is in an April 2014 entry.

These last 2 pictures are in Trim at Sheep's Gate.  The Castle wasn't open for tours, but it is still a cool castle to see, even from the outside walls.  Since we had toured it before and visited many times, we were able to give Felicia a lot of information about the castle ourselves.  It was a lovely day, and then we had to head home so they could go out for New Year's Eve celebrations with a group of Haley's Moyne friends.

Birthday Dinner at the Purple Onion

When we got back home from Knocknarea, Haley felt well enough to go out for Felicia's birthday.  We had a lovely dinner at the Purple Onion in Tarmonbarry with all 6 of us.

Ballinafad Castle

On our way home from Knocknarea on the N4, there is a scenic overlook that I have always thought would be cool to stop at, but we never have.  On our way home, Connor, Felicia and I decided to stop.  The view is of Lough Arrow and Ballinafad Castle.

The sign had a scratch out.  I'm not sure what it said, but probably it referred to the Cromwellian Act of Settlement in 1652.  Anyway, it was interesting.

It's hard to see the castle in the distance.

Here you can just see the towers in the lower left corner.

Adventures With Felicia - Knocknarea

Haley was still sick, and Zach was a no-show, so Connor, Felicia and I went to Knocknarea on December 30, 2014 - also known as Felicia's 20th birthday!

We marveled that the horse didn't try to leap over the little fence, but he stayed where he was and got his nose pets, looked for apples, and then went back to eating his grass. 

It was a chilly, windy day - but NOTHING like the day I went up by myself!  I didn't have to brace myself to take photos and I didn't get flattened to the ground when I got to the top, so it was a treat!  It was also another  dry, sunny day in Ireland - woohoo!  We walked around more of the paths while we were up there, and saw the overlook to Strandhill.  It was actually quite crowded, though - lots of people were trekking to the top and walking around. 

I am glad I went up in October as I had the hill to myself that day, making it quite a spiritual experience  - but then, any day on Knocknarea is a great day to be alive!

I title this picture:  EEJITS ON THE CAIRN.

Being a rule-breaker or risk-taker is one thing, but damaging a 5000 year old monument is just selfish. There, I've said my piece on it.

Can't leave off with that, so I will leave off with a close-up of the picture I like to call:  Connor the Munchkin or, Connor the Representative of the Lollipop Guild.  Hahahahaha!!  Look at his grimace!  Cheers from Knocknarea!

Airport in Strandhill

While we were walking along the dunes, an airplane was getting ready for take-off.

Across from the landing  strip is the Killaspugbrone Church.  The Church dates to about 1200 AD, but there has been a religious building in this place since the 5th Century.  There was a small village around the Church until the early 19th Century, but it was engulfed by the sand dunes and the residents were forced to move.  The Church is also surrounded by a Multi-denominational graveyard, and the baptismal font is still used today in St. Anne's Church located in the town of Strandhill.

Legend has it that St. Patrick visited Killaspugbrone in the 6th Century and he tripped and lost a tooth.  He gave the tooth the the local bishop and it was enshrined in a golden casket in the 14th Centruy.  The shrine, with the relic, is now at the National Museum in Dublin!

To get to the Church, the path leads around the back of the landing strip.  We didn't make the trak over as again, we were running out of time, but you can see a group of people walking over there.

The sign lets you know you should NOT walk on the runway nor on the grass that is marked - stay on the path gentle walker!  I also have my doubts as to how many people actually keep their dogs on leads - even in this area...

It is important to read the signs - and to WAIT to walk around the back end of the runway if you see lights or aircraft!

Oh Ireland! I will miss the lack of fences and the signs that assume people will read and pay attention!  Walkers beware!